46 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



cavity to the peritoneum ; so this disease may complicate enteritis or 

 inflamed womb. A sharp metal body may perforate the second 

 stomach and allow the gastric contents to escape, irritating the peri- 

 toneum. This disease may follow castration or operation for hernia. 



Symptoms. — A continuous or occasional shivering; the animal lies 

 down, but appears uneasy; it frequently turns its head toward its 

 belly and lows plaintively; pressure on the flanks produces pain; has 

 no appetite; muzzle is dry and no rumination ; while standing, its legs 

 are placed well under its body ; pulse small and hard. The evacua- 

 tions from the bowels are dry and hard. If this disease is compli- 

 cated by the presence of inflammation of the bowels, the pain is more 

 severe and the animal is more restless. The skin is cold and dry in 

 the early stage of this disease, but in a more advanced stage this con- 

 dition may be succeeded by heat of thfe skin and quick breathing. 

 The fits of trembling, uneasiness, small and hard pulse, and tension of 

 the left flank are symptoms the presence of which would enable one 

 to reach the conclusion that peritonitis exists. 



Post-mortem appearance. — The membrane lining the abdomen and 

 covering the surface of the bowels is reddened to a greater or less 

 extent, and there is usually considerable serous, or watery, fluid col- 

 lected in the abdomen. 



Treatment. — When we have to do with the form of peritonitis re- 

 sulting from an injury, as when the horn of another animal has been 

 thrust through the abdominal walls, this lesion must be treated in 

 accordance with directions before given, but the general treatment 

 must be similar to that which follows. Peritonitis resulting from 

 castration or from parturient fever must also be treated in connec- 

 tion with the special conditions which give rise to it, as the general 

 treatment of this disease must be modified to some extent by the 

 exciting cause. 



The aim must be to discover and remove the cause. The cause 

 must be treated according to its nature. Harms strongly recommends 

 borax in the treatment of peritonitis. He gives 6 ounces in the first 

 24 hours, divided into three doses, and afterwards he gives 6 drams 

 three times daily. Opium in doses of 2 to 3 drams may be given. 

 To bring on evacuations of the bowels it is better to give rectal injec- 

 tions than to administer purges. The strength may be sustained by 

 coffee or camphor. 



The body should be warmly clothed, and it is advisable, when prac- 

 ticable, to have a blanket which has been wrung out of hot water 

 placed over the abdomen, then covered by several dry blankets, which 

 are maintained in position by straps or ropes passing round the body. 

 The wet blanket must be changed as it cools — the object of treatment 

 being to warm the surface of the body and to determine as much 

 blood to the skin as possible. The diet should consist of laxative 



